'Gaming disorder' classified as a mental condition

World
Europe

Do you have a family member or friend who you think is addicted to video games? His or her behavior might soon be classified as a mental health condition.

For the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) is adding gaming disorder to its International Classification of Diseases (ICD), New Scientist reported.

The ICD, which is the standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management, and clinical purposes, was last updated in 1990 with the 10th version, and a new version is scheduled to be published in 2018.

In the draft of the 11th version released by WHO, gaming disorder is described as “a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior (‘digital gaming’ or ‘video-gaming’), which may be online (i.e., over the Internet) or offline.”

For the first time, the World Health Organization is adding gaming disorder to its International Classification of Diseases. /Photo via VCG

Here are the manifestations listed in the draft:

1. Impaired control over gaming, in terms of frequency, intensity, duration, termination, and etc.

2. Increasing priority is given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities.

3. Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.

The behavior of addiction to games is normally evident over a period of at least 12 months in order for a diagnosis to be assigned, according to the draft.

“Most people who play video games don’t have a disorder, just like most people who drink alcohol don’t have a disorder either,” said Vladimir Poznyak, a member of the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. “However, in certain circumstances, overuse can lead to adverse effects,” The Independent reported.